The Top 10 Things to Do In Twin Falls

It’s tough to narrow down the top activities in Twin Falls — the plunging, spectacular Snake River Canyon alone deserves its own bucket list! But we’ve done the hard work for you and chosen our best recommendations for this bustling, growing city.

1. Stand in awe of waterfalls

Shoshone Falls — a towering 212-foot behemoth that’s been dubbed “the Niagara of the West” — is a must-see. These falls put on a show in spring and early summer, when water flows are at their peak after winter snowmelt. During high water years, the falls attract thousands of out-of-town spectators who come to witness nature’s awesome power.

The falls are worth seeing even when water isn’t at its peak, but for year-round action, head southwest of the I.B. Perrine Bridge to Perrine Coulee Falls. The falls travel a whopping 200 feet to the water below, framed by the rocky canyon walls. These falls are a favorite of photographers and can be snapped from above on the Snake River Canyon Rim Trail or below at Centennial Park. Or take a guided tour with Big Green Adventures. They expertly craft your waterfall adventure, transportation and dining experiences.

2. Take in the views from the Canyon Rim Trail

Other towns in Idaho have greenbelts or river walks, but in Twin Falls you can walk close to the edge — literally! (Stay on the trail to be safe, of course.) The Canyon Rim Trail is seven miles long and has some great vantage points.

The I.B. Perrine Bridge is monumental and named after a monumental guy, Mr. Perrine, who brought irrigation to this arid valley and made it “magic.” It rises 486 feet above the canyon and is known for attracting BASE jumpers from all around the world (more on that below).

If you’d like to take a photo of the bridge itself, head to the Twin Falls Visitor Center for one of the most amazingly situated visitors centers anywhere in the United States. Perched on the rim of the canyon, it’s a great place to get started on your Southern Idaho adventure.

From the center, you can walk 1.8 miles along the Canyon Rim Trail to the Evel Knievel launch site, an earthen ramp that is still visible on the Snake River Canyon rim. Back in 1974, notorious motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel attempted a jump across the quarter-mile-wide Snake River Canyon in a specially designed contraption called a skycycle.

Though Knievel crashed on the jump because of a parachute malfunction, he survived with only a broken nose – barely a scrape for a man who had broken nearly 40 bones in his career, including his back seven times.

3. Dine on the edge of a canyon

Located on a particularly picturesque bend of the Snake River in Twin Falls, Elevation 486 and Canyon Crest are both charming and modern bistros serving up eclectic, new American cuisine with global influences. While the dining areas and patio terraces offer stunning views of the Snake River Canyon, the Perrine Bridge and the surrounding Magic Valley region, the spectacular food has marked these restaurants as some of the best in Idaho.

4. Zip the Snake

Zip the Snake is a fast paced, high flying adventure located in the Snake River Canyon at Centennial Park. During a zip tour, you’ll ride four lines through the canyon while learning about the history, geology, and wildlife in the Snake River Plain. It’s an awesome option for kids, family reunions, team-building exercises, and other groups — and a great adventure to cross off your bucket list.

5. Kayak underneath high flyers or see falls from below

We mentioned earlier that Twin Falls is a mecca for BASE jumpers — and thanks to watercraft rental at Centennial Waterfront Park, you can experience their jumps from below! Just check out your kayak at the rental stand and paddle down to the base of the I.B. Perrine Bridge, where the jumpers leap an astounding 486 feet. Of course, we recommend that you stay well out their landing areas — BASE jumping is risky business, and it’s best for all involved if you keep a safe distance.

Shoshone Falls is a bigger-than-life paddle. Also accessible by starting at Centennial Waterfront Park, it’s a four-hour round trip trek with a portage around Pillar Falls. The journey offers an amazing view of the I.B. Perrine Bridge, BASE jumpers and Knievel’s jump site from below. At the end, you’ll float at the base of the 212-foot Niagara of the West. It’s a downriver float back, but smooth waters make the return trip feel the same.

6. Grab a burger and brew downtown

Twin Falls has a booming brewery scene, with innovators like Koto Brewery paving the way and Milner’s Gate Brewery and Magic Valley Brewing coming soon. For a good, old-fashioned pub experience, check out longtime favorites O’Dunken’s Draught House and Scooter’s Chillin’ and Grillin’.

7. Scale the Snake

The city’s famous canyon is a haven for rock climbers who love its volcanic basalt cliffs and crags. Your best bet is Dierkes Lake, not far from Shoshone Falls, where routes like Over the Falls, Ziplock, Evil C, and Wasn’t Built In a Day offer tons of technical challenges. If rock climbing isn’t your thing, the trail around the lake and to the top of the canyon is breathtaking.

8. Listen In at the Commons

Downtown Twin Falls underwent a facelift in recent years, including a gorgeous plaza called the Downtown Commons. It has become a great place to listen to live music, play in the splash pad or meet friends. In-the-know locals head down for First Fridays to take in art and live music. To find out who’s playing while you’re in town, visit Downtown Twin’s Facebook page.

9. Reserve a tee time at Canyon Springs Golf Course

This 18-hole golf course is stunning, challenging, and set at the base of the towering Snake River Canyon. The location is what makes it so special — expect to see plenty of wildlife while taking in the view. This course was once part of the estate of I.B. Perrine; now, it attracts out-of-town players — and, of course, a steady stream of lucky locals.

10. Mountain bike at Auger Falls

There are more than 10 miles of trails to enjoy in the Auger Falls Trail System, which is managed by the City of Twin Falls Parks and Recreation Department. Be sure to check out the beautiful spring cascading from the cliffs above! The moderate Homestead and Eagle trails take you on a singletrack tour that winds through the rocks to an amazing overlook of Auger Falls. Here, you can check out the series of rapids that makes up the falls. Return on Koda’s Trail and the Haunted Forest Trail for a five-mile roundtrip tour.

Of course, there are many more things to do in Twin Falls. For ideas, visit the Twin Falls Visitor Center or explore Southern Idaho Tourism’s Adventure Map.

Nature Is Ready to Put On a Show

This spring, get outside and watch Mother Nature show off thousands of sparkling, rushing, tumbling waterfalls. We’ve put together a guide that includes out-of-the-way gems and crowd-pleasing stunners.

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